Switch-operating mechanism.



H. M. STE VENS.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 18. 1913.

Patented Mar. 21, 1916.

Inventor.

2 SHEETSSHEET l.

Witnessess .n. W w n e r t O s a r H r H. M, STEVENS.

SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. l8. I913.

HARRY M. STEVENS, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOB GENERAL ELECTRIC COMEANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YO RK.

EWITCH-GPERATING MECHANISM.

Application files March 18, 1913.

To all whom may TOfiCGTHI Be it known that I, HARRY M. STEVENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York. have invented cc"tain new and useful Improvements in kiwi ch- Operating Mechz'inism, of whichv the following is a specification.

My invention relates to switches for opening and closing an electric circuit, and more particularly to switches which control circuits carrying a large amount of energy and which automatically trip free from the handle or actuating member when the condi tions in the controlled circuit are abnormal.

The parts of a switch suitable for con trolling circuits carrying large amounts of energy are so heavy that a good deal of force is required to close the switch, anti when closed a-co respourlingly large force or thrustis exerted in a dircction which was to open the switch. The parts which retain the switch in closed position 1Y1! t this thrust and must therefore he of n (W construction in switch which tn free from the handle this thrust is resisted by a normally positive collapsible connection tween the operating handle and the switch mechanism. This connection must remain rigid and positive during the movement of the operating handle toward switch closing position, but should also be sensitive to the action of the tripping mechanism which causes the connection to collapse and release the switch from the handle when an abnormal condition, such an overload, exists on the line. Uniess the collapsible connection sensitive the tripping mechanism must be made so large and powerful that much energy will be wasted in it.

One object of my invention the provision of a rugged device or normally positive c0lla ,sihle connection which positively and firmly connects the switch mechanism to the operating handle while the switch is being closed, but becomes very sensitive and easily operatetl' to release the switch from the handie by the time the switch is closed, that a small trip coil can automatically release the closed switch from the handle. To this end, I prefer to utilize the force exerted by the operator, to bring about marlie-ai increase in the sensitivcncss of the normally positive connection when the switch is substantially closed. To accomplish this result I prefer Specificati n of Letters Patent.

Patcn tee? Friar. 21, 1916.

Serial No. 755,139.

to partially disable or coll, tion but vent to lapse of it by a sen spends to t. permits 1 cons l s i; n se pletely upon the occurrence of an almorma condition on the circuit.

Another object of my invention is t e p vision of means for disabling" or coliapsiir the normally positive connection i" tial opening movement of ti 3 handle, thereby protecting the operator fro injury by the hanc'le as the swit h opens and at the same time making it i i'olc to leave the operating handle where it is out of the way.

Other objects tion will appear i novel features wil he out in the ai pcniioi rim. 7

For a hen. r uncle tion, reference may 7 pa ing drawings, in w igure 1 is a front any ilv'eib the 9139033,"

n. ot the open ating handle and the n connecting 36 the handle to the inc she switch; Fig. '2 is a vertical 7 i and she-wir the handle I posilj 3 is a View showing the nominally 35 between hanrlh.

handle Fig. 4 is a vcrtica rsectien on Fig.

but with the switch open and the hen swung throu an angle of degrees from the positioi mwn n Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 shows the si :h s installed.

Referring drawings, in which I have illustrated one enihodiinent of my invention, and first to Fig. 5, [1 indicates the switch, B the ope: 1g lever or handle, C the panel on which the handle and the parts cooperating therewith ar l'l1)l1fli"' and l the connections between ti we V9 and the switch. 1 l". my invention in switch havi I the swi h crnl to t frame is s the 6 for ac-at 5, whicn on ends, as 119 fixed contacts on the lower end of the insulators 7, andare connected to a crossbar or yoke 8 which is raised to close the switch 'and is lowered to open it. This yoke is raised and lowered by an arm 9, of which the end connected to the yoke is compelled to move up and down in a straight line by aparallel motion consisting of a system of links 10. The arm 9 is actuated through the parallel motion 10, the links 11, 12 and 13, and bell crank levers 14, 15 and 16, from a link 17 located in some convenient place, preferably upon panel C. It will be seen that to raise the yoke 8 and move the switch actuating mechanism to close the switch, the link 17 is moved to the right, and that when the switch is in the closed position ,the weight of the movable parts of the switch urges the link 17 toward the left.

As best shown in the other figures, especially Figs. 2 and 3, the outer-end of the link 17 extends through an opening in an escutcheon plate 18 mounted on the panel C and is connected by a pivot 19 to an actuating lever or member 20. In the particular embodiment of the invention shown, this member 20 has the form of a bell crank lever, and is bifurcated, the two forks being pivoted on arbors 21 mounted in brackets 22 extending outwardly from the escutcheon plate 18. The link 17 and the member 20 form an actuating toggle which is straightencd as the member 20 is swung about the arbor 21 in a clockwise direction into the position shown in Fig. 2.

The free end of the member 20 is formed into a solid block provided with a lane surface 23 which cooperates with a disengageable member or operating arm 24 on the, operating handle. .This disengageable member iscarried between the two forks, 6,7), of the operating handle B, which is also bifurcated and pivoted on the arbors 21. The disengageable member or arm 24 is also bifurcated, and I have here in fact illustrated the same as composed of Ztwo separate members which are pivoted at 25 to the handle and connected at their outer I ends by a pin 26 on which is mounted a roller 27 adapted to engage the plane surface 23 on the lever 20 of the toggle. This plane surface on the lever 20 is so designed that a perpendicular from the pivot 25 of the member 24 to this plane surface will fall within thc'plane when the roller 27 is in engagement with the same, as shown in Fig. 2. The free end of the member 24 is urged toward the pivot of the operating handle by a spring 28, one end of which engages a web 29 on the handle. The pin 26 extends in both directions considerably ,past the two forks b b of the operating handle, and its ends engage two lugs 30 which, are located on the back faces of the forks b b of the handle and thereby limit the movement of the member 24.

' When the switch is in open position, the position of the parts corresponds to that shown in Fig. 4. WVhen the operating handle is moved to close the switch and to a position wherethe roller 27 engages the surface 23, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the parts are so designed that the pressure exerted by the roller on the plane surface tends to move the roller along the plane surface toward the stops 30. This tendency of the roller 27 to move toward the stops 30, forces the ends of the pin 26 against the stops on the handle and locks the handle "ery firmlyto the lever 20. VVhen the operating lever or handle, therefore, is moved" upwardly in switch closing direction and while the actuating toggle formed by the link 17 and the lever 20 is being straightened, the thrust exerted through the operating arm 24 positively locks the handle to the switch mechanism with no possibility of disengagement during the major portion of the switch closing movement. \Vhen the handle has substantially completed its movement and just as the switch contacts are about to come into engagement the connection between the handle and the movable member 17 is so set that it tends to collapse as a result of the thrust between the mechanism and the handle, and is therefore very sensitive. This cll ange in scnsitiveness of the normally positive connection is brought about by the pin 26 on arm 24 engaging two cam-shaped members 31, which. move the roller 27 far enough so that, as a result of its pressure upon the surface 23, it now tends to move away from the stops or lugs 30 instead of toward them. This result follows from the cams 31 moving the roller to the other side of the perpendicular from the plane surface 23 through the pivot of the member 24. The

total collapse of the connections at this time is prevented and the roller is kept in engage 'ment with the plane surface by some suitable ticular restraining means shown comprises a latch 32 mounted on a pivot 33 and extending downwardly to a point immediately above'and in front of the plane surface of the lever 20 when the same is moved to gagement with the surface 23 of the lever "20, the latch is provided with a laterally exm or finger 37, which cooperates with a ntable electroresponsire or clectromagnetic tripping device. The tripping coils. which I have here illustrated as the electromagnetic means for tripping the switch and indicated by the reference numeral 38. are provided with movable cores 39 having laterallv extending tripping pins 40, in order to move the lat h 3'2 automaticallv. I provide a tripping: bar 41 mounted on pivots t2. and extending! across the esrzit heon plate, This tripping bar is provided at either end with fing rs i lwhirh extend around the cores of the. tripping coils and are adapted to be engaged by the pinsv 4) ol' the cores when either of the trippin ca' rolls opcrativelv cnergized. The il'lpi ldfi liar is also provided with a finger it which is adapted to engage the finger 37 on the latch 3:2. \Vhcn either of the coils l l is mergzi'zcd, the corresponding core is lifted and its pin it engages the correspond inc; fingers 43, thus rotating the tripping bar alzont the pivot 42, whereupon the linger 44 cngag' the finger 3? of the latch 32 and removes the lower end of the latch from the path of the roller 27. This movement of the latch leaves the roller free to move along the surface. 23 until it is free of the member 20, as shown in Fig. 3, whereupon the arm 20 is free to more and the switch automatically opens.

The operating handle is maintained in switch closing position by means of a latch 45 which is pivoted to the escutcheon plate at it? and eat/ends through a slot 46 in the handle. The latch urged upwardly by a spring 48, its upward movement. being limited by a stop 49 on the latch which engages a projection on the escutchcon plate. A pin 50 extends laterally through the operating handle and the slot 4C- in ch a position to engage. either of the two notches M or :32 in the latch 45 corrcs 'ionding to the full line position and the dotted line position of the handle in Fig. 3; The operating handle is provided with a hand latch 53 having a poi--- tion 54 extending above the handle and head 55 for dis igaginr: the latch 45 from the, pin 54).

'lihc operation of the device s as follows; 'When the switch opensthe movable member 17 is thrown to the left and the lever :20 is rotated about its pivot to the position shown in Fig. 4. In order to close the switch. it is nccessarv to move the handle or iratlng tending le er ll from the position show n in Fig; i into Now. who? i'lm position shown in Figv t rough substantiallv 180 dogma-s and tho op ni i i" 1hr: nr-wz: r then swings the; leve in and moves the member 17 to the right t close the switch. Now. when the handle has substantially completed its movement, the pin 26, on which the roller 27 is mounted, engages the cams 31 and the energy tun nished by the operator utilized to move the roller to the other side of the perpendicular. At this time. the latch prevents extensive upward movement of the roller along the surface 23, so that total collapse of the connection cannot occur until the relation of the latch and roller is changed. The connection now vcrv sensitive to tho action of the tripping coils. and when either of these coils is ene fi led the latch 32 is readily moved so as to tree tin rol er 27 and permit the switch to open.

In order to make the switch quick opening and at the saune time protect the operator against injury, my invention provides means for removing, the operation of the switch from the control of the operator upon an initial switch opening movcment'of the operating handle. By referring to Fig, 3, it will be seen that as the handle moves toward the dotted line position, the roller 27 moved to the left sufliciently to remove the same from operative engagement with the latch 32, whereupon the handle is discon nected from the switch and the switch is free to open at the same speed as when automatn cally tripped by the electromagnets 38. At the same time the operator is not liable to injury by the handle, as would be the case if the handle were rigidlv cm'mccted to the switch mechanism, in that case the handle would be. swung outward and dmvnward with the great speed and for. c resulting from the action throng? int its entire movcmcnt ofthe weight of the movable parts of the switch.

While I have illustrated Hr invention in connection with an oil switch and in a threephase system, it will, of course, be linden stood that my invention is, "not l mited to a switch of this character Inn to st h a system.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes. I have described the principle of operation of my invention. together with the apparatus which I now wnsidcr to represent the best embodiment thereof: but I desire to have it understood that tho apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by oth r means.

What 'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1 An electric switch comprisii'ig' an oper atin; handle, a mo ahle switch member. a noniatrhing connection between said handle and said switch member comprising two nicn'ibers held in abutting enmifgcineut and normally slightly overset daring? movement of said handle in the switch closiu direc tion, means for undersctting said abutting members as the switch is closed, and. re

thereby-allowing said switch to open free from said handle.

2. An electric switch comprising' a switch actuating mechanism, an actuating lever having a plane engaging surface and operatively related to said actuating mechanisi'n,

an operating member, an operating arm mounted on said operating member and pr0- vlded with a roller engaging surface adapted to cooperate with the plane engaging surface of said actuating lever to form therewith a connection between said operating member and said actuating mechanism, said connection being held rigid to move said actuating mechanism into switch closing position in response to the movement of said operatmg member in switch closing direction, means for moving said roller engaging surface along said plane engaging surface to partially collapse said rigid connection during the final closing movement of said operating member, and restraining means actmg on said operating arm to normally prevent the complete disengagement of said cooperating surfaces, said roller engaging surface being movable beyond said plane on gaging surface to collapse said connection in response to the initial m vement of said operating member in switch opening direction whereby said actuating mechanism moves into switch opening position while said operating member "remains in substantially switch closing position.

3. In an electric switch, the combination with a switch actuating mechanism, of an operating member for said mechanism, an actuating lever provided with a plane surface and a link operatively connected to said lever to form therewith an actuating toggle, an arm mounted on said operating member and biased to engage the plane surface of said lever during; the movement of said operating member in switch cl sing direction in a line through the pivot of said arm pen pendicular to said surface, said actuating toggle moving said switch actuating" mechanism thereby into switch closing position, means operative during the final closing movement of said operating member for moving said arm out of the said perpendicular alinemcnt, restraining means biased to hold said arm in engagement with said le ver while the switch is closed, and means for releasing said restraining means to allow said actuating toggle and said actuating mechanism to move independently into switch opening position While said oporating member remains in substantially switch closing position.

I v-er having a plane surface and a link pivotcd thereto and operativcly related to said actuating mechanism, an operating member, an arm mounted on said operating member and cooperating with the piano surface of said actuating levcr to form. a separable connection between said o mrating member and said actuating mechanism, in for holding said arm in thrust transmit v. 1;; re lation with the plane surface of said. lever for rendering said parable connection operative to more said switch actuating: mechanism in rcspmiw the moi emcnt of r tliil operating member in switch closing direc tion, means for mmring said arm along; the plane surface of said lever during the final closing movement of said operating menu her, and a latch cooperating with said arm to prevent said arm from moving out of engagement with the plane surface of said. l ver while thie switch is closed, said latch being rendered inoperative to hold said arm in. engagement with the surface of id levee. either upon the occurrence oi. abmirnia con ditions onthe circuit. through the switch or in response to a movement of said operating member in switch opening direction whereby said narrating mechanism moves independently into switch opening position While Said operating n'nrmlim remains in substantially switch closi nosition,

5. An operating mechan n; for an elcr tric switch comprising an operating Eover, an actuating iever proiidcd with a. piano surface, a link coiiperatimr with said actuating lever to form an actuating toggle, an operating arm mounted on said operating lever and biased in a position to ci'igage the plane surface of said actuating: lover in a line perpendicular to said surface in response to a movement of sa d operating lever in switch closing direction. said operating arm and said actuating; lever forming thereb a rigid connection for transmitting the thrust of said operating lever and causing the switch to rinse, means for moving said arm out of said perpendicular alinemcnt with said plane surface during the linal closing movement of said operating lever, and a latch biased. in. a position to prevent said operating arm from moving out of engagement with said plane surface while said switch is closed, said operating arm being withdrawn from said latch in response to the initial movement of said operating lever in switch opening direction and thereby causing said actuating lever to move free from said operating arm into switch opening position \vhiic said operating lever remains in substantially switch closing position. I t

6. The combination with a switch actuatinn; ine' iliilhiil 1; ng an operalive le t v mil; opernuwlv related to said Zlllllil' iii-minim :i etmne-etion between Aid operating i-(arr anal said lll'ili for transin (mg; .litf 71st of suit! operating lever niwlmnieni, said connectwi imnf eteliing members m surfaces movmitting posiaunt of said. mg direction. cut of nto (lire in response to in erntmg lever n lkiirflly said I entle'rntl y les- itcli urinatmember, an .1 a plane enr- 'n? eating member, an member and normally with said lugs said. e into engagement with ne of suit fitilllnlllflg lever thrust of El. operating :nil w in switch memljier for with Ll nsi'nit- 'i'iiit-lili, iiperntm member in sivitrli aliwrtioiri Wlnrreby seiii ttah Did- 87K13 free firm. ai ing in ting merizinwn i r eleci i'ziting went n with menn i nnimner anti lugs and in moving out of engagement with said plane hlll'flH'Q as the switch is closed, latching means for holding said operating member in switch closing position, and a tripping member for mming said latch out of the path of sniil arm and Allowing said actuating lever to move free from said arm into switch opening); positinn.

9. In an electric snitch, the combination with an actuating mechanism therefor, and an (r ver-n lever, of :i nun-li1t ;l1ing non nwztinn etn min lever and said meelnv ni comprising" niarmlaern lnnwng; abutting engnign Sili'fel'u' momhle into a thrust UAHSH) 'ng m, ition. in response to the 30 r i Mi operating lever in switch ulox direction, means for maintaining the abutting snrinees of said members in said thrust transmitting relation during the closing 0f the switch, means for moving the abutting surfaces of said members into a non-thrust transmitting relation during the final ciosin movement of said operating lever and: ins for holding said connectinn in mid non-thrust trnnsnnitting relation. $51 vv'litiie the sw tch is eiusecl, said abutting surfe es be ng separable in. respense to the in it i l. n tent of said operating lever in gegin ear lv' n Raving {i similar aerating engaging surface the lit engaging warfare of said operating arm be- JYZrbl, into abutting engagement with surface of said actuating lie ver io'form a thrust transmitting connee tion between said operating lever and said 11 animating; mechanism as said operating lever moved toward switch closing position, means for moving the engaging surfaee of said operating arm along the engaging surface of said actuating lever during the fimii closing movement of said operating lever to form a nonthrust transmitting connectic-m and means for maintain said operating arm and snitl actuating lei, in. ti estransniittriy ennn 'losed, the igiggizi ing, arm being movable nut 0i mtgement with the sarie i s ii ins; lever in cans? 4 initial movement of said operating lever to switch opening position.

11. In an electric switch, the combination with an actuating mechanism therefor, and an operating lever, of an intermediate mechanism, comprising an operating arm carried by said lever having a roller engaging surface, an actuating lever carried by said actuating mechanism having a cooperating plane engaging surface, saidoperating arm being movable to carry its roller engaging surface into thrust transmitting engagement With the plane surface of said actuating lever in response to the movmnent of said operating lever in switch closing direction, means for holding'said roller engaging surface in thrust transmitting engagement during the closing of the switch, a cam shaped member for moving said operating arm and carrying its roller engaging surface along the plane surface of said operating arm into non-thrust transmitting engagement therewith during the final closing movement of said operating lever, and means for holding said engaging surfaces in non-thrust transmitting engagement While the switch is closed, said surfaces being disengaged in response to the initial movement of said operating lever in switch opening direction In. Witness whereof, I have hereunto my hand this 17th day of March, 1913.

HARRY M. STE V EN-fl.

Vvitnesses BENJAMIN B. HULL, HELEN ORFORD. 

